Well, there have been some responses to the previous blog post…
I have consulted with people in Zimbabwe both closely related to the project and removed from it, with a mixture of views. Some think widening it to include more schools across the district is a good idea. On the other hand some feel it would be best to stick to the original plan.
Here in the UK the discussions have tended to be more one-sided, and largely against any change to the project. The feeling generally here is that the strength is in the personal connection between Pakati Schools and myself. Including potentially many more schools would weaken the appeal and dilute the original idea of helping Pakati.
Once I have discussed all the ideas in detail with all interested parties I will announce where the future of the project lies, and why the decision is made.
Early publicity for the project courtesy of Scunthorpe Live/Scunthorpe Telegraph
Matt, Brad and Matt of the Iron Bru forum/podcast outside the Honest Lawyer in Scunthorpe
Today before Sunthorpe United’s first home game of the 2019/20 season, fans forum and podcast presenters collectively known as Iron Bru, recorded a podcast in a local bar called The Honest Lawyer. They very kindly invited me to speak at the beginning of todays podcast recording on behalf of this project. This was the second time for them to ask me to be a guest on their show and they have been very supportive, as have many individual fans, and staff at the club, as well as the chairman, Peter Swann. I am very grateful to all for that support.
Iron fans at the Iron Bru podcast recording today
In addition, Iron Trust another supporters group also held a raffle in support of friendsofpakati.com at the event, with 5 prizes of various memorabilia items going to the winning tickets. Thanks to John for organising it. Good to see the shirt collecter and trader Simon present who tells me there is more money coming to http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati very soon, boosting the total before chairman Mr Swann lives up go his promise of doubling what we raise. Hoping to have this organised for two weeks time at our next home game.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROJECT
This is not formally agreed as yet, but discussions are currently taking place between myself, the Head of Pakati Secondary school, the local councillor for the ward, the MP for the district and other community members involved in/supporting the project. I will also consult donors and supporters here in the UK
The suggestion has been made that the project becomes about more than just Pakati schools. There are a number of similar schools in the district of Murewa, all with similar needs. They are the lowest funded schools in Zimbabwe, kept afloat by largely subsistence farming communties whose income is not stable, but fluctuates with the weather and subsequent harvests each season/year.
These schools, like Pakati, provide as good an education as they can, but often lack basic equipment, teachers frequently farm themselves as pay can be intermittent or low, and students, no matter how keen, cannot get the exam results their hard work deserves without proper facilities. As the curriculum becomes more IT-based, Pakati and schools like it are in danger of being left behind, creating further disadvantage to already struggling communities.
Once the funds raised here up to now have been spent and goods delivered to Pakati schools, then the idea is that this project will support more of these schools in Murewa district, with the backing of the local politicians, as they can help organising things like clearing customs and delivering items to the schools. It maybe that we set up whole new online/social media/fundraising presences, or use these current ones under the same banner, but with a clear statement about any funds/donations raised will be spread among more than just Pakati schools. We would continue to use Pakati as an exemplar school due to my personal connections, continuing to demostrate how life is for all concerned in these and similar schools.
My thoughts also include an idea to allow donors to say whether they want those donations to just go to Pakati or are happy for them to be shared across the district, then keep the two funds/donations separate.
Today one of Pakati’s best known and most successful former students, Doc Bothwell Riside (see earlier posts for his Profile & other contributions), came to Pakati Secondary school to speak to the students at an assembly.
He said “It was more of a motivating speech. I started by giving an introduction of myself and told them about how l was helped & raised by the school. I spoke about about the importance of admiring and respecting teachers, since in a teacher/pupil relationship it’s the students who need to follow the teachers lead, since failure to do so means they themselves may fail, and it’s the students who will face the music.
I spoke about the need to work hard and said that there is a lot of advantage to that, even though it might not seem so at the time.
Then l also mentioned that the teachers come and go and if the students do not utilise them, then they will lose out.”
The talk was jointly arranged by Mr Chifaka the school Head and Doc Riside following an earlier meeting between them. It seems that was not the only thing they discussed: they spoke of earlier developments for the area…
Still working after 30 years!
The borehole seen here was part of a small-scale development project I was involved in 30 years ago…funded largely by the British High Commission from their development funds.
It originally included a water tank, fencing for an Agriculture plot, and a pipe with a tap for use near the school buildings.
Only the borehole remains, but is still maintained by the District Development Fund, and is used by the community to this day. The water is good and clean, and is a reliable resource for them. It works when other ones are out of action for whatever reason.
It makes me happy to know I have left one good lasting legacy at least!
I would be so grateful if you, my followers could spread the word…share among your families & friends. Please can you help? Do you know someone who can? How many more generous people are there with things/equipment to donate for sale or use? Are there companies out there willing to donate as the Stephenson group already has? Are there any other sports teams/clubs who are as generous as Scunthorpe United & many of their fans? Here is what we at friendsofpakati.com are in need of: Any more donations of PC’s & laptops. Computer monitors. all of these with relevant cables please. Any more sports/football kits for more than a full team? can be adult, teens or childrens sizes. Football boots of all sizes. Can be for male or female. How about every day school items? Pens, pencils, crayons, maths stuff. These are schools (Primary and Secondary) that are finding it hard going right now, like many other rural Zimbabwean schools – see the blog for evidence of what it is like there – but given the right conditions & facilities, the students are as capable as any you could meet, & the staff as dedicated as any I have ever known. Please see what can be done to help us help Pakati. Thank you.
Following on from the earlier post, here are further comments including some from senior staff at the school and another former student. Some interesting discussion points are being raised here, I hope they can be addressed.
First comments here come from Mr Chifaka, Head teacher at Pakati Secondary school:
Mr Mugove Chifaka, Head teacher at Pakati Secondary school
“The new compentence based curriculum requires more student centered learning and Research. Our students do not have access to computers yet IT tools are recommended for teaching in our new syllabi. Availability of computers will thus go a very long way in equipping our students with necessary life skills required to live with modern technology. Computers enable students to see videos and hear sounds of what they learn, which enhances the interest to study. Books are hard for most of our students and teachers have to work extra hard to have learners’ interest and attention. With computers, I am certain teaching and learning will be more interesting. I know even our enrollment will rise.”
Deputy Head and English teacher Mrs Pindura added:
Mrs Pindura, Deputy Head and English teacher, with some of her students at Pakati
“I believe the computers are heaven sent. It gives our students a headstart in terms of computer literacy in this technologically advancing world. We are really grateful for the donation of computers to our school. We will certainly put them to good use.”
The next contributor is former student at Pakati Secondary school during my tenure there, and one who you can find out about from her profile pages on here previously, Lorraine Mapuranga.
Lorraind Mapuranga, former student at Pakati Secondary school
“I personally greatly appreciate the donation of computers at my home school Pakati. I think that it is going to be a turnaround on the pass rate at the school, as students and teachers have access to more and more researching. Sometimes stationery is not enough, evidenced by the pictures that I saw sometime on Mr Walkers blog. As well, looking at how fast the world is moving students need to be equipped with computer knowledge before they go as far as university or the business world. In any college or tertiary institutions computers are a prerequisite before starting any programs and so I am really grateful for the computer donations.. Also some visual learning is easy to capture as compared to just an explanation, and long time pictures where there is more of imagination than reality. Computers are also very up to date with the latest information and through this donation I see my school going as far as Advanced level Science, Commercial and more practical subjects. However, with the powercuts prevailing in the country presently there is the need for a back up plan of for example solar power or generators.”
Ok. This 2-part article has brought up some interesting points. The overwhelming feeling is one of the need for schools like Pakati to enter the modern world before it falls too far behind even some of its closest neighbours. The students are all aware of the existence of modern technology, but many will have little experience of it. The staff and students are clear about the benefits of computers in terms of education. The discussions are about the curriculum, possible developments of the school maybe to A levels, use of IT and the internet for research, for homework, for game-aided learning, about how grateful the communuty feels about the donation. One former student raised the important question about electricity supply and the need for a back-up plan, either a generator or solar power. We will need to ward against power surges too. There is still much to be done, but a clear step forward has been made for Pakati.
Last year, I returned to Pakati for the first time since 1992. I met the Head, Mr Mugove Chifaka, and we talked about the school and development. I told him about the things I could see had changed, he told me about what changes he would like to see in the coming years. The one thing he mentioned more than any other was computers. He felt the students would benefit greatly, and the standard of education would improve accordingly. During these discussions the idea formed between us about how I might be able to help if I could. This project began that day.
Donation by the Stephenson Group
Since then, things have moved forward. Website set up, fundraising page set up, twitter and facebook presence created. Sponsored walk set up, trained for and completed. Advertising on local media lead to various interesting developments. Links to sponsors/supporters developed (see our sponsors/supporters page). Donations offered and accepted. Fundraising still ongoing. Offers of further funds and publicity still coming forward.
Friends of pakati is growing and more developments are coming. But the question is, what does all this mean for Pakati? Several contacts have been in touch with me on a regular basis, and they have helped by giving their thoughts to me. Below are several of those comments, and who made them.
Let me start with perhaps the most important contributors – some of the current crop of students. Thanks to English teacher and Deputy Head for gathering the comments below:
Basil Chapaguta 2A “Computers will help us to research our homework easily”.
Abigail Chakanetsa 4B (she’s also Ward 14 Junior Counselor) ” Being computer literate keeps us in trend with the changing modern technology and e-learning is the way to go”.
Belinda Machika 1A ” I love playing games on my dad’s phone. I can image playing educational games on a big screen. I have never used a computer before”.
Clever Zoraunye 2A ” learning using computers is a dream come true. At least we will now get basic computer skills which will help us and make researching easier”
One of the current staff also gave her thoughts to us:
Mrs Mwaashidzana – have a read of her profile in an earlier blog post
Ms Mwaashidzana the Fashion and fabrics teacher said that “…computers are a move in the right direction. It will enable the learners to keep up with the current educational curriculum which has made computers a must have for all schools. It’s unfortunate that rural schools are currently lagging behind”
Former student Doc Bothwell Riside had this to say:
Doc Bothwell Riside – author of the most-read blog post on this website
“Computers play a pivotal role in the education of the children . The support information storage and ease of retrieval of the information in administration. When connected to the internet they assist in researches for students. Hence students may get more information on a topic. Pakati school being a rural school would open the student’s horizons to the outside world. It is prudent to note that the coming in of computers will aim to enhance a holistic education. Computers and Internet will leave the poor rural marginalised schools at a certain level.”
There are several other contributors who will give other perspectives on this topic, I will add their thoughts and comments in part 2, to follow in a day or two.
I am currently gathering comments from people from the Pakati community, finding out what they think about the computers which have been donated to the schools.
So far I have comments from the following:
● At least one current staff member, with promises from 2 others including the Head teacher
● At least 3 current students at the Secondary school
● At least 1 former student, with one other promising to reply soon
I am hoping to hear from others too in the local area and/or those with a strong connection to Pakati.
I will also add my own thoughts once I have collated all the responses and edited it into one blog post this weekend.
Pakati boys u-20s football team vs Chenhuta Secondary school
Heartbreak for Pakati boys – the competition at District level proved just too much. Pakati lost both their games in the group stage of the tournament. Both Chenhuta and Kambarami Secondary schools’ teams defeated Pakati 2-0. Both teams later went on to contest the final that day, but that was little consolation to Pakati.
Pakati vs Chenhuta
Below are the comments from Pakati staff who accompanied the boys team to Chemhondoro Secondary School, venue for the District competitions:
Sports Director Mr Kahuni: ‘Everyone was disappointed with the results and even the coach was frustrated. The head, Mr Chifaka, just comforted the boys and told them to keep training for the next season.’ Coach Magabaza also said, ‘…they have learnt a lot, and are going to work on some of the errors noted down during the play.’
Pakati vs Chenhuta
Let us hope for better success for Pakati next year!
